Kromac? A few Questions...

[Firth]

Alright i am a little lost when it comes to Kromac. I am new to the army and am in love with the model and fluff that surounds this awesome caster. I am a bit confused though when it comes to his "Beast Form". While he is in "Beast Form" can he cast beast Animus in himself? It does call him a beast... If so that would be a great combo for the Gorax because he can't frenzy. I do think that he needs some more balancing (not that he isn't powerful), but why not give him a Animus that he can use while he is in "beast form" that might give him a nice battle group buff... or self buff. As of right now i just don't see him as nicely balanced as his counter parts Karchev and Darius. Well anyways, i was just hoping that i might be able to get some advice from some more advanced Circle players. Please Post!

[Blaque]

Beast from is a name of the model, but he is not a warbeast. In this game wording is important and beast =/= warbeast in this case.

Also, the exact reason why he can't just go and cast Primal or Shadow Hunter is said in your thing above. The first is pretty much free boosts as he doesn't frenzy and the second woudl cause him to suddenly be an 11"-13" charger regardless of LOS or other defensive measures or also known as "A bad idea."

He can cast plenty of animi without needing it anyhow (Argi and Gnarlhorn Satyrs shwo up in my force a lot.) He doesn't need such a boost and it causes too many complications to be useful or fun to play or develope.

And stuff.

[Achiles]

He can cast animi while in beast form. They work just like they do for every other warlock while he is in beast form. he just can't cast any of his own spells, though they are still on his card. Thus a Woldwarden or Megalith could cast Rift through Geomancy.

Kromac is an awesome warlock, even after the December 17th updated, despite the claims of some naysayers. The key to using him is to switch forms as the situation calls for it. people that use one form almost to the exclusion of the other tend to find him ineffective. Those that learn to switch, as best they can, as the situation calls for.

I find I like to leave him mostly in Shaman mode early game. Upkeeping Invioble Resolve on Ravagers or Wolf Riders. He then casts Havoc or Bestial as the situation requires. Woldwardens and Shadowhorn Satyrs are good with this because they both have chain attacks and Havoc gives them boosted attack rolls increasing their chances of pulling them off while lettign them boost for damage. Woldwardens are also great for casting rift and Wild Growth to stymy the enemy's adavances on block LOS. Shadowhorns are great because they can keep up with him in beast mode Bounding Leaping while he Jumps into position to wreck the enemy.

Bestial is great if you face a spellcasting army. When they try to close in bestial messes with their positioning and creates a bubble they can't move into. If they then try to close and engage have Kromac take human form in the Maintenance phase, recast Bestial, then beast out either by popping the feat or if you can risk it and your opponnent is kind enough to oblige through a free strike. Bestial increases to an 18" radius from Kromac. That should catch pretty much their entire army and shut down their spell casting on next turn. Kromac then goes to town slaughtering whatever he can reach then your army moves up to protect him. Maybe the Woldwardens Wild Growth and Rift while the Shadowhorns move to reposition for the killing blow next turn. Good times all around.

There are a lot of different strategies though with Kromac, so you should try making some of your own that fit your playstyle and meta best. His greatest strength is that he can be a support 'lock or beatstick as you need it. Just make sure you try to use all his potential rather than focusing on just one side of the coin.

[Firth]

Cool guys! Thanks for your impute and help with this beloved caster.